Begonia plant named `Solenia Orange`

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named `Solenia Orange`, characterized by its numerous large and attractive orange fully double flowers that are about 7.5 cm in diameter; uniform plant habit; resistance to Powdery Mildew under commercial greenhouse conditions; and outstanding weather-tolerance and garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begoniaplant, botanically known as a Begonia Elatior Hybrid, commercially knownas Elatior Begonia, and referred to by the cultivar name `SoleniaOrange`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Hann. Munden, Germany. The cultivar originated from across by the inventor between an unidentified Begonia Tuber-hybrid asthe female or seed parent and the species Begonia socotrana as the maleor pollen parent. The cultivar Solenia Orange was discovered andselected by the inventor as a plant within the progeny of the statedcross in a controlled environment in Hann. Munden, Germany, in 1994.This selection was selected based on its floriferous and gardenperformance.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in acontrolled environment in Hann. Munden, Germany, has shown that theunique features of this new Begonia are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations.

The cultivar Solenia Orange has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Solenia Orange`. These characteristicsin combination distinguish `Solenia Orange` as a new and distinctcultivar:

1. Numerous large and attractive orange fully double flowers that areabout 7.5 cm in diameter.

2. Uniform plant habit.

3. Resistance to Powdery Mildew under commercial greenhouse conditions.

4. Outstanding weather-tolerance and garden performance.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The photographcomprises a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of`Solenia Orange`. Flower and foliage colors in the photographs maydiffer from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands,that were flowered in November under commercial practice in aglass-covered greenhouse. Average day temperatures were 20°C. andaverage night temperatures were 18°C. Assimilation lights provided amaximum light level of 18,000 lux. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages for six typical flowering plants.

Botanical classification: Begonia Elatior Hybrid cultivar SoleniaOrange.

Commercial classification: Elatior Begonia.

Parentage:

Seed or female parent.--Unidentified Begonia Tuber-hybrid.

Pollen or male parent.--Species Begonia socotrana.

Propagation:

Type.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to rooting. --About 14 days with soil temperatures of 23°C.

Rooting habit.--Fine, fibrous and well-branched.

Plant description:

Plant form.--Upright and rounded potted plant, uniform, freely branchingwith good stem and stem base strength. Flowers are fully double andabundant. Plants flower continuously.

Growth habit.--Moderate growth rate and moderately vigorous. Appropriatefor 13-cm containers. Under optimal environmental and culturalconditions, usually 10 weeks are required to produce proportional 13-cmpotted plants from terminal cuttings. Vegetative shoots are formed atbasal nodes and flowering shoots are formed at upper nodes.

Plant height.--About 30 cm.

Leaves.--Arrangement: Simple, alternate. Size: Length: About 16.5 cm.Width: About 12.5 cm. Shape: Asymmetrically ovate/cordate. Apex: Acute.Base: Cordate, overlapping. Margin: Lacerate/doubly serrate. Texture:Smooth and leathery. Color: Young foliage: Upper surface: 147A. Lowersurface: 138C. Mature foliage: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface: 138C.Venation: Upper surface: Light green. Lower surface: Light green.Durability: Very durable, weather-tolerant.

Flower description:

Flowering habit.--Fully double and large flowers arranged in compoundcymes. Many cymes in flower simultaneously. Flowering continuous.Flowers persistent.

Natural flowering season.--Plants will flower year around regardless ofdaylength, however plants will flower earlier and more abundantly ifdaylength is 12 hours or less. Usually plants start flowering after 6weeks of start of short day/long night treatments.

Flowers.--Shape: Oval. Shape: Oval. Diameter: About 7.5 cm. Depth: About3 cm.

Petals.--Arrangement: Rosette. Shape: Rounded with undulating margin.Quantity per flower: Usually about 27 per flower. Color: When opening:40D/41C to 33B. Fully opened: Upper surface: 41C to 33B. Lower surface:41C to 35A. Texture: Smooth, velvety, glabrous.

Sepals.--Arrangement: Two, opposite. Shape: Oval. Color: 144A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: None. Pistils: None.

Disease resistance:

Plants of the cultivar Solenia Orange are resistant to Powdery Mildewunder greenhouse conditions.

Seed production:

Seed production has not been observed as reproductive organs are notformed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named`Solenia Orange`, as illustratrated and described.